Last week I posted about my Summer Chalkboard and I figured you’d all like to see where I hung it! This is my new entry layout with my black and white summer gallery wall.

This layout cost me exactly $3.19. Here is how it all went down. I started by gathering any and every frame that I had that was black. After rearanging another part of my house, I realized I also had this black little chest that I added to the pile. I started working on the arrangement and weeding out the frames I didn’t have room for (there were a lot, I was willing to take art out of old frames from years ago and put my own photos in them but they were too big in the end).

Start by removing everything from the space

Check your space limitations including door openings

Arrange the largest items first

Begin to layer up from items on the ground

Work around outlets and switches

Find a finished height and carry that line across the gallery (I made mine just below the height of the columns and front door)

Attach everything to the wall for a formal look, or leave things leaning for a casual look (my chalkboard is really heavy, so I attached it to the wall so it wouldn’t slip and fall on the little guy)

Check door to make sure it can open all the way

To add that extra touch of pulled together, fill in the extra spaces with accessories. In my case, I had a little bit of extra space between the mirror and the black chest. I layered a few books, a sea shell sculpture and a fish platter to brighten up the space and repeat my color scheme. Again, just look around your house and see what works with your color palette and then theme.

OK, it looks great, but how did you do this for less than $4? I dug it all up from around my house. Once I figured out a color scheme, I was surprised how many items we had accumulated over the years with black frames. The mirror was gold but I had spray painted it for another project (that failed) a few months back. The chalkboard was blank so I made up a Summer design and got to work (to read my tutorial for Chalk Board Art click HERE). The frames had old photos of our family in them and were often oriented the wrong way. No worries, I just printed off new ones from my computer except for the largest photo which I printed at Costco for, you guessed it, $3.19. I honestly surprised myself at how much black and white stuff that I had, and tried to work in a “Summer” theme where I could in photos and accessories.

I have seen a lot of pins on Pinterest of “How To’s” for gallery walls. Most include very rigid layouts and involve purchasing matching frames. Others sell kits where once opened, all the frames are tiny like you are decorating a doll house.Here are a few tips for creating your own wall and

not spending much if anything:

Gather what you have

Paint frames to match

Black and White photos are the easiest way to get started (no worrying “does his shirt match the house in that pic?”)

Don’t be afraid to mix and match large and small scale

Put your gallery up in a defined space (a small space fills up and looks the best for a beginner)

Hi I found you through Funky Junk’s party. I love how you showed the wall changing with each addition. Very cool effect and who doesn’t love a chalkboard. A huge one is fantastic! I hope you’ll come on over and visit Quirky Vistas sometime and see what I’m up to as well!

I was blogging early this morning and saw your post on gallery wall with the chalkboard art. I loved it! I was instantly inspired to try the chalk board art idea and read your tutorial. It is 11:00 pm and I just finished my first chalk board art sign. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!